Bottle support



y 8, 1965 E. w. MELVIN 3,184,193

BOTTLE SUPPORT Filed May 15, 1964 4 Sheets-She's: 1

FIG. .1.

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BOTTLE SUPPORT Filed May 15, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

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ATTOf/VEY E. W. MELVIN BOTTLE SUPPORT May 18, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 3Filed May 15, 1964 INVENTOR. v/wwva m ma. w/v,

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BOTTLE SUPPORT Filed May 15, 1964 FIG. 13. 75!

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 #6 FIG. 11-. 06 //a INVENTOR.

amwvo 4/ M54 1/// United States Patent 3,184,193 SETTLE SUPPORT EdmundW. Melvin, Box 241, Eotulla, Texu Filed May 15, 195%, Ser. No. 369,35611 Qlafims. (Cl. 248-1136) This application is a continuation-in-part ofmy prior, copending application Serial No. 296,297, filed July 19, 1963,now abandoned.

This invention relates to supports for bottles, or the like, and moreparticularly device for a baby bottle in feeding position.

A main object of the invention is to provide novel and improvedsupporting devices for holding a baby bottle in a feeding position, thedevices being particularly adapted for use with supports for holding ababy in an inclined position, the bottle supporting devices being simplein construction, being easy to install, and having a wide range ofadjustments in accordance with the size and other requirements of theinfant and/or support with which they are employed.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved baby bottlesupporting assemblies which involve inexpensive components, which aredurable in construction, which are easy to adjust, and which may bereadily disassembled for transportation or storage.

A still further object of the invention is to provide improvedsupporting devices which may be employed either for supporting a babybottle in a feeding position, or alternatively, for supporting a babypacifier in a similar position.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following description and claims, and from the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view showing a first form of improved baby bottlesupporting assembly according to the present invention installed on aconventional inclined baby-supporting device;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the structure illustrated inFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical longitudinal cross sectional View taken throughthe bottle and associated supporting means, substantially on the line3-3 of FIGURE 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical cross sectional view taken transversely of thebottle and supporting means, substantially on the line 44 of FIGURE 3,looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the bottie-receiving sleeve andbottle-securing member, as employed in the assembly of FIGURES 1 to 4,the sleeve and securing member being shown in separated positions;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary side elevational View showing the bottle andsupporting means arranged in a position of adjustment different fromthat shown in FIGURE 1, facilitating removal of the child;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the arrangement ofthe sleeve and fastening member em ployed in the apparatus of FIGURES 1to 6, arranged to support a baby pacifier;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of some of theparts employed in the pacifier supporting arrangement of FIGURE 7, theparts being shown in separated positions;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken substantially on theline 9-9 of FIGURE 8, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of supportassembly constructed and assembled in accordance with the teachings ofthis invention;

FIGURE 11 is another perspective view of the assembly of FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 12 is a front elevational view thereof;

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged, fragmentary rear elevational view of abottle-receiving sleeve and securing member as employed in the secondembodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 14 is a longitudinal, detail cross sectional view takensubstantially on the line 1414 of FIGURE 13, looking in the direction ofthe arrows;

FIGURE 15 is a side elevational view of a third embodiment;

FIGURE 16 is a frontal view of sleeve sections hereof as employed in thesecond and third embodiments;

FIGURE 17 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross-sectional view, takensubstantially on the section line 17-47 of FIGURE 15, looking in thedirection of the arrows;

FIGURE 18 is a front elevational view of the third embodiment of theinvention; and

FIGURE 19 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the thirdembodiment, showing an alternate position of operation.

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGURES 1 through 9, 11therein desi nates a conventional supporting means for holding a baby inan inclined position, for example, a supporting means of the type shownin US. Patent No. 2,324,421. The device 11 comprises a traylikereceptacle having a bottom wall 12, upstanding side walls 13 and 14 andan upstanding rear end wall 15 which terminates in an outwardly curvedlip 16, the device being provided with a pair of bottom flanges 17extending generally in a longitudinal direction and located adjacent theside walls 13 and 14, the bottom flanges being formed with spacedapertures 18 therein. Bearing pivot projections 19 are provided at thelower rear corner of the tray-like device, and the device is adapted tobe sup-- ported in an inclined position by struts 2i} and 21 pivotallyengaged in fixed bracket means 22, the struts having top lugs 23engageabie in selected apertures 18 in the flanges 17 so as to supportthe device 11 in a suitable inclined position, for example, in theposition illustrated in FIG- URE 2.

Designated generally at 24 is a first form of bottlesupporting assemblyaccording to the present invention, the assembly being adapted tosupport a conventional baby feeding bottle 25 in a suitable inclinedposition for feeding a baby received in and supported in the traylikedevice 11. The assembly 24 comprises a rigid elongated sleeve member 26of molded plastic material, or the like, said sleeve member beinggenerally circular in cross section and being formed with a longitudinalslot 27 extending its full length, and being defined by upstandingparallel ribs 28, 28 which project vertically from the sides of theslot, as viewed in FIGURE 5. The purpose of the longitudinal slot 27 isto allow the iquid level of a bottle supported in the sleeve member 26to be observed without distributing a baby feeding from-the bottle. Thesleeve 26 is formed adjacent one end thereof with a peripheral groove 29which receives a generally circular intermediate loop portion 30 of awire supporting member, the loop portion 38 being integrally connectedwith respective outwardly extending side arms 31 and 32 ter minating indownwardly bent arcuately curved end portions 33 and 34 formed withinturned lugs 35 which are engageable in opposite transversely alignedapertures 18 of the flanges 17 associated with the device 11. As will bereadily understood, the member comprising the loop 39, the arms 31, 32,and the terminal arms 33, 3 3 may be formed of a single piece ofrelatively stiff wire material having a certain amount of resiliency.

Pivoted to the opposite end portion of the sleeve member 26 at itsbottom, as by the provision of a pivot lug ing terminal leg portions 39formed with lugs 40 extending outwardly, and being engageable inopposing apertures 41 provided in the-top portions of the side walls 13and 14 at the rear portion of the device 11.

The ribs 28, 28 are formed with opposing inwardly facing longitudinalgrooves 42, 42, the top walls'of the ribs adjacent the grooves beingformed with evenly spaced notches 43 therein, the notches being arrangedin opposing pairs on the respective ribs 28, 28. Designed at 44 is awire member formed with a generally circular central loop 45 engageablearound the neck portion of a conventional baby bottle-25, and largeenough to allow free passage of its nipple cap portion therethrough, theends of the loop being integrally connected to longitudinally extendingparallel arms 46, 46, which are provided at their ends with upstandingfinger portions 47, 47, formed with finger loops 48, as shown in FIGURE5. The ends of the loop 45 merge with upstanding connecting arm portions50, 59 which are of sufficient length so that when a bottle neck isengaged in the loop 45 the longitudinally extending arms 46 will bereceived in the grooves 42, 42, with the bottle received in the sleeve26. The upstanding terminal finger elements 47, 47 are lockinglyengageable in selected pairs of opposing notches 43, 43 to lock thebottle in a desired position of longitudinal adjustment in the sleeve26. 1

It will therefore be readily apparent that the bottle 25 may beadjustably secured in the sleeve 26 in a desired position, for example,the position shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, wherein a baby positioned in thetray-like support member 11 will be comfortably and effectively fed fromthe bottle.

For a different size baby, or when the inclination of the device 11 isvaried, the supporting devicemay be adjusted to a different positionwherein the lugs are engaged in apertures 18 different from those shownin FIGURE 2. With such re-adjustment, the rigid elongated sleeve member26 will pivot to a new position, thepivoting action occurring betweenmember 38 and lug 37. The member 38 has bends 38 adjacent the legportions 39 which are manually adjustable'in angle, allowing the bendsto be adjusted toward a larger angle, or straighter, condition, allowingfor better feeding position of the bottle if the uppermost apertures 18are employed, for example, in the case of a large baby. I

A rotatable stop member 55 (FIGURES 1, 2 and 6), which is eccentricallymounted, is provided on the arm 34 and is arranged so that its largeradius portion may be rotated either to an inwardly directed or anoutwardly directed position. This feature is provided so that the babymay be removed from the support member 11 for diaper changing, burping,etc., during the feeding without requiring the supporting device to becompletely disassembled. For this operation, the bottle is retracted toits uppermost position, as indicated in dotted view in FIG- URE 6. Thelugs are then disengaged from the support member 11 and the sleevemember 26 is rotated forwardly (clockwise, as viewed in FIGURE 2) untilit is clear of the babys head. The stop member is then adjusted byrotating its large radius portion to an inwardly projecting position sothat it will engage the top edge of the wall 13, which maintains thefeeding device in the position of FIGURE 6 while the baby is transferredfrom and back to the support member 11. Subsequent to this, the stopmember 55 is rotated to its outwardly projecting position and the lugs40 are again engaged in the apertures 41 to restore the condition ofFIGURE 2 and to allow the baby to resume feeding.

The stop member 55 is preferably frictionally held on the arm 34, sothat if so desired it can be displaced along the arm 34 by exertingsuflicient force thereon, whereby its position may be adjusted, asdesired.

As shown in FIGURES 7, 8 and 9, the device 24 may be converted tosupport a baby pacifier instead of a 1 feeding bottle; For this purpose,a split supporting ring 61 is provided, the ring 61 having an externalperipheral groove 62 adapted to receive the loop 45, so that the loopwill support the ring 61. The ring 61 is made of plastic or similarmaterial having some flexibility, so that it can be readily inserted inthe loop 45. The pacifier 66 is provided with an annular flange 64 whichis receivable in an inside groove 65 provided in the ring 61. Thus, thepacifier 69 may be mounted in the ring 61 and the ring may be in turnengaged in the loop 45, so that the pacifier 6t) and the ring 61 can beadjustably supported in the sleeve '26 in the manner illustrated inFIGURE 7.

The feeding device is so constructed that it can easily be deflected byan active baby if he pushes against the arms 33, 34. Due to theresiliency of said arms, after such deflection the device will return toits present position. In fact, the arms 33, 34 are arranged so that theyare in an ideal position for the baby to grasp and to hold if he sodesires. This allows the baby to feel that he is assisting in theholding of the bottle.

Referring to FIGURES 10 through 19, modified forms of the invention aretherein disclosed, and are generally designated by reference numerals 7tand 79a. The environment of primary intended usage of the supports 70and 7% comprises a modified form of baby holding means 72 comprising atray like receptacle with a bottom wall '74, end wall 76 and side walls'78, 80, each terminating in a continuous outward flange 82 which, inthe case of the side walls is of curvilinear form and has a dependinglip 84, best seen inFIGURE l7. Bearing projections 86 are provided atthe lower rear corner of the means 72, and bracket bosses 58 arearranged in pairs and project from the wall 74 to receive a supportstrut assembly 9%, which serves to support the baby holding means 72 ina selected inclined position, as shown in the drawings. e g

' A bottle support assembly employed in the form 70 of this inventioncomprises a tubular sleeve 92 of transparent plastic or the like whichpermits viewing of the contents of the bottle held therein. The sleeve92, as seen in FIGURES l3, l4 and 16, is formed in lower and uppersleeve halves 94 and 96 with one pair of longitudinal edges 98, 98thereof connected by an integral hinge portion 101 and the other edges102, 164 being formed with a projecting nipple 106 and slot1%,respectively, adapted to snap fit together about a bottle 25 which isthen slidably received in the sleeve member. The sleeve lower half 94has longitudinally extending bayonet slots 110 formed thereinat spacedapart locations for a purpose described below, and the upper sleeve half96 has an enlarged, longitudinal bayonet slot 112 therein. For economyof shipping space, the open halves may be nested for shipment, as shownin FIGURE 16.

A bottle; supporting member114 is provided, and includes an arm 116 ofdovetail section transversely adapted to be engaged adjustably in theslot 112. The arm 116 includes a forward end 116 with an annular loop120 thereon of a circumference to fit about and retain the bottle 25,abutting a shoulder portion thereof with the nipple assembly 25'projecting therethrough. Since the arm 116 is frictionally engaged inthe slot 112, the positioning of the bottle with respect to the sleeve92 is adjustable in accordance with the depth of insertion of the arm.

A pair of substantially identical but opposite support leg assemblies122 are provided, formed of molded plastic or the like, and includeforward leg members 124 of L-shaped transverse section, and rear legmember 126 of like cross sectional form, the leg members each includingside elements 128 and end elements 130. Each end element 130 has atransverse slit 132 therein adjacent the base thereof to increase theflexibility of the leg members and to permit the user to bend the sidemembers to some extent, and the members are inclined inwardly andupwardly to a desired position. A connecting portion 134 connects theupper ends of the legs, and each connecting portion has a flared endedge 136 adapted for frictional engagement in the bayonet slots 110 ofthe lower sleeve half 94. Thus, the sleeve is supported between thesupport leg assemblies 122.

A lower, horizontal, flexible, connecting brace 138 extends between theleg members 124 and 126 and is suspended adjacent the outward flange 82of the holding means 72. The leg members have depending projections 140which extend downwardly on opposite sides of the flanges, and each brace138 carries a connecting hook member 142 comprising a downwardlyprojecting tab 144, a horizontal bight portion 146 and an upstanding arm148. As best shown in FIGURE 17, the hook member 142 fits about andengages the lip 84 thereby effectively clamping the leg assemblies tothe holding means 72. The brace 138 is adapted for deflection, by reasonof its spacing from the adjacent flange 82, to allow the hook member 142to be easily engaged with the lip 84. Also, the ends of the end elements130 are spaced from the flange 82, and this vertical displacementpermits the deflection of the brace 138.

In the modification shown in FIGURES 15, 18 and 19, an identical holdingmeans 72 is employed and a slightly modified form of support 76a isshown, substantially the same as the support 70, but employing a unitarysleeve 92a and a support leg assembly 122a at only one side thereof. Theleg assembly 122a is similar to assemblies 122 and is forwardly archedwhereby it is usable in the variant positions shown in full and phantomlines in FIGURE or in the inverted position of FIGURE 19, dependent uponthe positions of the infant being fed or the size of said infant. Thispositioning is also attainable with the previously described forms ofthe invention. This form of the invention does not employ a slottedsupport leg, and provides a'somewhat more rigid support.

It will be readily apparent that the baby bottle supporting assembliesabove described and illustrated in the drawings may be adapted for usewith other types of baby supporting means different from thosespecifically illustrated in the drawings, and may in fact be employedwherever there is a suitable subjacent support for a baby havingelements to which the supporting legs of the bottle supportingassemblies can be engaged.

While specific embodiments of supporting assemblies for a baby bottle orpacifier have been disclosed in the foregoing descriptions, it will beunderstood that various further modifications within the spirit of theinvention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it isintended that no limitations be placed on the invention except asdefined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A supporting assembly comprising:

a sleeve member adapted to receive a baby bottle slidably therein;

means engageable with the sleeve to adjustably secure the bottle thereinagainst movement in one direction;

support means, having a central portion receiving and engageable withthe sleeve member; and

the support means having depending portions extended to andinterengaging with a subjacent support.

2. A supporting assembly comprising:

a rigid elongated sleeve member adapted to receive a baby bottleslidably therein, the sleeve member being formed with a longitudinalslot;

means engageable with the slot to adjustably secure a baby bottle in thesleeve member;

a support member having a central loop portion receiving and lockinglyengageable with the sleeve member; and

the support member having a pair of depending leg portions extendingfrom the loop portion and adapted to be interengaged with a subjacentsupport.

3. A supporting assembly comprising:

a rigid elongated sleeve member adapted to receive a baby bottleslidably therein;

the sleeve member being formed with a longitudinal slot and havingspaced detent notches therein;

means engageable with the slot and being selectively engageable in thedetent notches to adjustably secure a baby bottle in the sleeve member;

a support'member having a central loop portion receiving and lockinglyengageable with the sleeve member; and

the support member having a pair of depending leg portions extendingfrom the loop portion and adapted to be interengaged with a subjacentsupport.

4. A supporting assembly comprising:

a rigid elongated sleeve member adapted to receive a baby bottleslidably therein;

the sleeve member being formed with a longitudinal slot therein andhaving spaced detent notches therein;

a wire loop member engageable around the neck of a baby bottle andhaving parallel resilient end arms extending from the ends of the loopmember;

the end arms having upturned terminal portions;

- the sleeve member having grooves formed therein opening on the slotand receiving the end arm;

the upturned terminal. portions being selectively engageable in saiddetent notches to adjustably secure the bottle in the sleeve member; and

a support member having a'central loop portion receiving and lockinglyengageable with the .sleeve member and having a pair of depending legportions extending from the loop portion and adapted to be interengagedwith a subjacent support.

- 5. A supporting assembly comprising:

a rigid elongated sleeve member adapted to receive a baby bottleslidably therein;

the sleeve member being formed with a longitudinal slot and havingspaced'detent notches therein opening on the slot;

a wire loop member engageable around the neck of a baby bottle andhaving parallel resilent end arms extending from the ends of the loopmember;

the end arms having upturned terminal portions;

' the sleeve having grooves therein opening on the slot and receivingthe end arms;

the upturned terminal portions being selectively en gageable in thedetent notches to adjustably secure the bottle in the sleeve member;

a support member having a central loop portion receiving and lockinglyengageable with the forward end portion of the sleeve member and havinga pair of depending leg portions extending from the loop portion andadapted to be interengaged with a subjacent support; and

a rear support member pivoted to the rear end portion of the sleevemember and having a pair of depending supporting legs.

6. A supporting assembly comprising:

a rigid elongated sleeve member adapted to receive a baby bottleslidably therein;

the sleeve member being formed with a longitudinal slot and havingspaced detent notches therein;

a wire loop member engagea-ble around the neck of a baby bottle andhaving parallel and resilient end arms extending from the ends of theloop member;

the end anms having upturned terminal portions;

the sleeve having grooves therein opening on the slot and receiving theend arms;

the upturned terminal portions being selectively engageable in thedetent notches to adjustably secure the bottle in the sleeve member;

a support member having a central loop portion receiving and lockinglyengageable with the sleeve member; and

the support member having a pair of depending leg portions extendingfrom the loop portion and being 8. A supporting assembly comprising:

upstanding terminal portions on said provided'with; inturned opposinglugsadapted to be .pivotally inter'connected with a subjacent' support.7. A supporting assembly comprising; a rigid elongated'sleeve memberadapted to receive a baby bottle slidably therein;

' the sleeve member being formed with a longitudinal slot having spaceddetent notches;

a ,wire loop member engageable around the neck of a the upturnedterminal portions being selectively engageable in the detent notches toadjustably secure the I bottle in the sleeve member;-

a support member having a central loop portion receiving and lockinglyengageable with the sleeve member and having a pair of depending legportions extending from the loop portion and being provided withinturned opposing lugs adapted to be pivotall-y interconnected with asubjacent support; and

- a stop member rotatably secured on one of the depending leg portions,the stop member having a relatively large radius stop portion which mayselectively be positioned in an inwardly projecting position relative tothe one :leg portion.

a rigid elongated sleeve member having a longitudinal slot therein;

a loop member adapted to engage about a nipple-carrying member;

the loop memberha'ving parallel resilient end arms extending there-from;'1

the end arms being slidably received in the slot of the sleeve member; t

vthe sleevemember having detent notches formed therein opening on theslot; p

7 end arms selectively engageable in the notches;

a support member having a central loop portion receiving-and lockinglyengageable with the sleeve member; and the support member having a pairof depending leg portions extending from the loop, portion and adaptedto be interengaged with a subjacent V support. 4 a 1 9. A supportingassembly 'for use'with a babyholding device including side walls,flanges projecting outwardly from the side 'walls, and depending lips onthe flanges, the supporting assembly comprising:

an elongated sleeve member adapted to slidably receive a baby bottletherein; 7 means engageable with the sleeve to adjustably secure thebottle therein; and at least one leg assembly depending from the sleeveand adapted for interengagement with the flanges and lips of the sidewalls. 10. The supporting assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein thelegassemblies include: i

a hook member adapted to fit about the depending lip and lockinglyengage the same.

11. A supporting assembly for use with a baby holding device includingside 'walls, flanges projecting outwardly from the side Walls, anddepending lips on the flanges, the supporting assembly comprising:

an elongated sleeve member adapted to slid-ably receive a baby bottletherein;

means engageable with the sleeve to adjustably secure K ReterericesCited by the Examiner i UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,490,158 12/49 Reynolds248103 3,153,556 10/64 Westerback 248-107 FOREIGN PATENTS 788,624 [7/35France. 7 187,972' 8/07 Germany.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Eataminer.

1. A SUPPORTING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING: A SLEEVE MEMBER ADAPTED TO RECEIVEA BABY BOTTLE SLIDABLY THEREIN; MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH THE SLEEVE TOADJUSTABLY SECURE THE BOTTLE THEREIN AGAINST MOVEMENT IN ONE DIRECTION;SUPPORT MEANS, HAVING A CENTRAL PORTION RECEIVING AND ENGAGEABLE WITHTHE SLEEVE MEMBER; AND THE SUPPORT MEANS HAVING DEPENDING PORTIONSEXTENDED TO AND INTERENGAGING WITH A SUBJACENT SUPPORT.